
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 22, 1990                   TAG: 9003212248
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV7   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Louis King
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SPRING WILL MEAN ROCK 'N' ROLL TO FANS IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY

Even though it has not been a particularly rough winter, the local music scene still seems to have gone into hibernation. With spring, the time to wake up and make some noise is here. The next 10 days will bring a sharp increase in the area's decibel level.

On Friday, British rockers The Cult will invade Radford's Dedmon Center with Bonham as guest. Rappers Rob Base and EZ Rock will pump up Tech's Burruss Auditorium Sunday, supported by Washington's E.U., best known for its hit "Da Butt."

Two lesser-known acts, unfamiliar to those who look no further than MTV and Rolling Stone but nonetheless well worth seeing, are coming to town.

Crazed rockabilly purists Flat Duo Jets will bring their white trash nightmare to Blacksburg's South Main Cafe Tuesday. With a record out on Dog Gone Records (run by R.E.M. manager Jefferson Holt), this Chapel Hill, N.C., trio is out to re-educate anyone who thought the Stray Cats were as good as it gets.

The record was recorded "live to two-track in Jim Hawkins' garage," and sounds like the band spent more time swilling beer and gobbling Vivarin than tuning up. That, in fact, is its charm. The rhythm section cooks about as fast as is humanly possible, while guitarist Dexter Romweber speed-reads his dictionary of classic guitar riffs. Imagine Elvis Presley as an original Sex Pistol.

Despite the grunge, Romweber (yes, he's the brother of ex-Let's Active drummer Sara) can actually croon. On songs like "When My Baby Passes Me By" and "Dreams Don't Cost a Thing" he resembles a young Roy Orbison, sans the high notes. But do not be deceived. Flat Duo Jets is determined to go out in a blaze, and take plenty of people with them. Local favorites Digital Witchcraft will open.

What? A rock and roll album with a cello? Sure. Remember ELO? Hoboken, N.J.'s, Tiny Lights won't remind anyone of Jeff Lynne's old band, but that probably won't become an issue. What can be said about a band that hops from a Black Sabbath riff one minute to a piece featuring violin, cello, tablas and trumpet the next to a Jackson 5, Chic and Jimi Hendrix medley the next? Does anything need to?

The band will make its third visit to Blacksburg March 30 at Buddy's. The stop is the next to last on its Early Spring Tour, in support of a new record on Absolute a Go Go Records, "Hot Chocolate Massage." It would be wise to see them this time around, before they stop being the Next Big Secret.

Buddy's in Blacksburg will showcase Lifefest bands past and present tonight and Friday. The first night will feature Rare Aquarium, Martin Roach and Not Shakespeare, while Specific Gravity, Digital Witchcraft and Rake will perform Friday.

The focus on those nights may be music, but the emphasis will be on promoting AIDS awareness.

by CNB